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Rescue efforts continue for missing villagers in Laos cave
Five of seven local men trapped in a flooded cave in Laos have been rescued, while two remain missing deep inside the narrow tunnels of Xaysomboun province. Survivors are now assisting search teams from their hospital beds.
Survivors provide critical details
Rescuers confirmed on Sunday that several of the freed men are sharing firsthand knowledge of the cave's layout. The system extends far underground, with some passages as narrow as 50 centimeters (20 inches). A Laotian rescue group described the survivors' accounts as "substantial" and said the information is being used to refine search strategies.
Self-rescue and setbacks
Four of the men rescued on Saturday reportedly escaped on their own after floodwaters receded, though the cause of the drop remains unclear. A Japanese diver assisting the operation told the Associated Press that water was being pumped out of the cave, but a broken drainage pump temporarily blocked access on Sunday. Repair efforts are underway.
Video footage circulating on social media showed rescuers and bystanders cheering as the men emerged, though the authenticity of the clip has not been verified.
Weather halts operations
Heavy rain on Sunday forced rescuers to pause their efforts after water levels rose again at the cave's entrance. Laos's Rescue Volunteer for People group announced the suspension on social media, stating that operations would resume Monday. Weather forecasts for the nearby capital, Vientiane, predict dry conditions for the day.
International support
The search has drawn expertise from abroad, with specialist divers from Thailand, Indonesia, France, and Australia joining local teams. The first rescue succeeded on Friday, when one man was pulled from the cave by responders.
Background
The seven villagers entered the cave on May 20 while searching for gold. Flash floods cut off their exit, stranding them in the remote, mountainous region of central Laos.
